« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

SRQ DAILY Jul 21, 2016

Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning

Please allow images to view this email properly

Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning

"We realize the planning phase will be critical to the success of this multi-faceted journey."

- Debra Jacobs, The Patterson Foundation
 

[Planning]  Patterson Helps Bayfront Effort
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

The Sarasota Bayfront 20:20 effort got a $300,000 boost from The Patterson Foundation on Wednesday. Foundation officials hope the money will encourage more contributions to the effort to create a cultural district and community asset on property now dominated by parking spaces. Over the last three years, volunteers have worked tirelessly to come together around the first phase of this, the vision and guiding principles,” says Debra Jacobs, CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “Now our interest is in moving this forward.”

The move came days after a recent update from Sarasota Bayfront 20:20 leaders to the Sarasota City Commission. The citizen-led effort wants to draft a master plan for 42 acres of publicly-owned land that now houses the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and other cultural institutions in need of an upgrade. Thus far, events over the course of three years have drawn out support for a “passive public green space” and a “highly engaging family venue.” Along the way, organizations like the Van Wezel Foundation and Sarasota Orchestra have voiced a need for a new venue on the bayfront.

Now, efforts are moving toward the creation of an official Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization, which would be an independent sector entity that include a city designee and the hiring of a planning firm and professional project manager. Bayfront 20:20 officials say they will need some $2.5 million in private funding to achieve everything. 

 Michael Klauber, volunteer chairman for Bayfront 20:20, says maintaining the organization as a separate entity instead of an advisory board to City Hall will help the organization. “As we heard from multiple city commissioners, nobody is going to give money to the city for a project like this,” he says. But the organization will operate in the Sunshine and maintain a public process.

The Patterson Foundation’s recent donation includes $100,000 to help with formation of the SBPO, the promise of another $100,000 when community donations reach $1 million, and another $100,000 promise when donations hit $2.4 million, enough to immediately allow the organization to meet its goal. 

[Education]  Public Transit and the Free Flow of Ideas
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Beginning Aug. 1, students, faculty and staff from both Ringling College of Art and Design and New College of Florida will ride free on Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) and Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) buses with the simple presentation of a valid college ID. The result of months of negotiations between county governments and the aforementioned educational institutions, the Universal Pass or U-Pass program allows Ringling College and New College to pre-pay for student, faculty and staff use of county buses, but it’s a move that Manatee County officials are saying will benefit the entire community in the long run.

The agreement follows a trend in public transit, says MCAT Manager Bill Steele. Lump-sum payments expedite the process for everybody, he says, allowing for more efficient boarding, meaning more efficient transit in general. The fare is still collected—even if in advance—and nobody has to fumble for change. Use is unlimited—card-carrying collegians can access not only the main routes leading to school, but all feeder routes possibly necessary to reach those main routes.

But more than streamlining the system, Steele sees the U-Pass program as an investment in education and impetus for economic development. Not in the immediate sense, he says—new businesses won’t sprout from the earth—but in the long view, one that sees value in further assisting and encouraging education in one’s community. “We’ve removed a possible impediment for people, especially students, to use transit to get to school and get the skills and training they need for meaningful employment in the community,” says Steele. “And hopefully that employment is here locally.”

Steele hopes to see increased ridership following the change, but notes that students already represent a “significant ridership,” especially along US 41. 

[Daily Shop]  Floridian Vows
Aviel Kanter, aviel.kanter@srqme.com

Picture your dream beach wedding: warm gulf breezes flutter along the sandy aisle, making fragrant flowers and soft linen hems dance and flit in and out of tropical evening rays. Easy, elegant, comfortable—quintessentially Floridian. The same can be said of Tommy Bahama's newly released wedding collection; while the simple white dresses highlight natural, elemental beauty, the men's line easily takes the cake for the best-in-show. With the Tommy Bahama collection, the leading man won't be left behind in a drab suit—instead, this collection channels the same salty-stylish feel, bringing lightweight linens and seamless silks to the forefront for an instantly dapper look. For the country club vibe, get your guy the New St. Thomas Double-Pleat Standard Fit Pants in Spray; for a beach ceremony, pair bare toes with the aptly named Linen on the Beach Easy Fit Pants in White or Natural Linen. All that's left to say is, "I do!" 

Photo courtesy of Tommy Bahama

Tommy Bahama, The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota, 941-866-6614

[Recognition]  Recognitions For Gurley Vitale Firm

Sarasota law firm specializing in construction law, Gurley Vitale, announced that David E. Gurley was selected by his peers as among The Best Lawyers in America 2016. US News & World Report and Best Lawyers also recognized the firm as 2016 Best Law Firm which is a distinction given to fewer than 15 percent of law firms in the country.  

Gurley Vitale

[Recognition]  Bentley Named To Legal Elite List

Attorney Morgan R. Bentley has been named to Florida Trend magazine’s prestigious Legal Elite list. Only 1,144 lawyers in Florida were named to the 2016 list, which represents fewer than two percent of the active Florida Bar members who practice in Florida. Bentley concentrates his practice in the area of litigation involving business and real estate disputes.  

Bentley & Bruning

[Recognition]  Johns Eastern Hits 70, Revamps Website

Johns Eastern Company, an insurance claims adjuster and Third Party Administrator (TPA) with offices in Manatee and Sarasota counties, celebrates its 70th anniversary July 26 with the launch of a redesigned website highlighting the company’s integrity, experience and results as a nationwide insurance claims adjuster and TPA. Since its founding in 1946, Johns Eastern has grown from a one-person operation into a business that employs more than 240 individuals. Johns Eastern provides claims-adjusting services to public entities, insurance companies and self-insured corporations.  

Johns Eastern Company

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

Copyright © 2024 by SRQ Media Group, 331 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe

Read More

Where Oil Meets Water

Where Oil Meets Water

Phil Lederer | Mar 1, 2024

Freedom to Wander

Freedom to Wander

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

Drive and Dine

Drive and Dine

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

A Mesmerizing Journey

A Mesmerizing Journey

Barbie Heit | Mar 1, 2024